I thought Id take a few and talk about what inspiration means to me, and where I find myself being most inspired. I've been meaning to write this post for a long time, but like most, I have just been so busy that the blog has really suffered. Having some time off over the holidays though is a good time to get caught up on a few things.
I really believe that Inspiration is Zen. What I mean by that is you have to be willing - the level of inspiration something gives depends on your state of mind at the moment. The timing must be right - whats inspiring today, may not be tomorrow and vise versa. It cant always be explained. Inspiration to me is one of those odd things that isn't always easy to put into words. What's inspiring is different for everyone. However I do believe that many people really confuse appreciation with inspiration. Just because you find something cool, does not make it inspiring. In order for something to be inspiring, it should be also motivating. Without motivation its just appreciation not inspiration. Now I dont mean motivating in the "motivational speaker" sense, but it should make you want to do something. Seeing something that makes you go "WOW!" is one thing, seeing something that makes you go "WOW! I wanna do THAT!!!"... is what I think defines inspiration.
I think there are two types or way to get inspired. "Active Inspiration" - where you need to get an idea for a specific project and you actively go looking for a spark or idea to put you on your path. The other type/way is "Passive Inspiration" - where you accidentally get inspired and motivated to want to do something. That's not to say the two ways are mutually exclusive. In fact often times I will actively be looking for that spark, when I stumble across something that sparks a new idea for a different project.
I try and surround myself with opportunities to be inspired at all times. I realize that statement sounds a tad confusing so I'll explain what I mean. While I may not always be "actively" looking for inspiration, I do actively position myself to be passively inspired. Whether its wallpapering my office with imagery that is visually stimulating, setting my Netvibes page to push feeds from places I am routinely inspired by, covering my body in artwork (tattoos), or even just something as simple as having an old car and custom motorcycle in the garage. I find myself inspired by all of that content all the time. The craftsmanship of the car/bike, the lighting/colors/composition of the painting on my wall, the links to artwork Netvibes is feeding me, the ink in my skin that creates such amazing imagery... they are all things that motivate me in different ways to want to be a better artist.
One thing I didnt mention, is that I don't really view websites as inspiration for me anymore. While I am truly in awe of the work many studios like AgencyNet, Big Spaceship, 2Advanced, NorthKindom, etc... put out, I dont guess I find them inspiring anymore because I am too caught up in the technical complexities of the projects too find them truly inspiring. I dont mean that to be a slight on any website or web project, its just that I am too close to that industry to look at any of it objectively anymore. In fact I find myself getting so caught up in the "how'd they do that?" question that often times it can be demotivating, no matter how cool I think it is.
So what do I find truly inspiring? I really find myself drawn to more traditional artwork. Granted my definition of "traditional" may be different that some if not most. To me tattoo art is amazing and truly inspiring. The fact that a true tattoo artist can display their art on a canvas that for all intents and purposes gives you one shot to get it right is something I find very inspiring. I dont want to be a tattoo artist by any means, but what inspires me is that if an amazing artist like Horyoshi III can manage to put such beautiful artwork on skin using a stick... inspires me to be a better artist with all of the tools I have at my disposal.
I'd love to hear what anyone else does for inspiration or any feedback you have on my take on the subject. I'll leave you with links to a few links I get inspired by...
Design Flavr - Inspiration Blog / Community
Typography and Lettering - Flickr Group
RatRods - Flickr Group
Generator.x - Flickr Group
Shawn Barber - Badass painter/Tattoo Artist
Worth1000 - Photoshop Greatness
Sketch Theatre - Video's / Speed Painting
Mr. Cartoon - Amazing Artist
Queenpin Deluxe - Awesome Pinup artist
... I could go on forever but this is a small taste of the current crop of greatness... until it all changes tomorrow 